Effect of conditional knockout of the type II TGF-beta receptor gene in mammary epithelia on mammary gland development and polyomavirus middle T antigen induced tumor formation and metastasis

Cancer Res. 2005 Mar 15;65(6):2296-302. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-3272.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms are growth factors that function physiologically to regulate development, cellular proliferation, and immune responses. The role of TGF-beta signaling in mammary tumorigenesis is complex, as TGF-beta has been reported to function as both a tumor suppressor and tumor promoter. To elucidate the role of TGF-beta signaling in mammary gland development, tumorigenesis, and metastasis, the gene encoding type II TGF-beta receptor, Tgfbr2, was conditionally deleted in the mammary epithelium (Tgfbr2MGKO). Loss of Tgfbr2 in the mammary epithelium results in lobular-alveolar hyperplasia in the developing mammary gland and increased apoptosis. Tgfbr2MGKO mice were mated to the mouse mammary tumor virus-polyomavirus middle T antigen (PyVmT) transgenic mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Loss of Tgfbr2 in the context of PyVmT expression results in a shortened median tumor latency and an increased formation of pulmonary metastases. Thus, our studies support a tumor-suppressive role for epithelial TGF-beta signaling in mammary gland tumorigenesis and show that pulmonary metastases can occur and are even enhanced in the absence of TGF-beta signaling in the carcinoma cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / physiology
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Female
  • Hyperplasia
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / growth & development
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / physiology*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / deficiency
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics*
  • Transgenes / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II